Yacht owners Bill and Shannon Joy were awarded the 2011 Perseus Award last night for their efforts and contribution toward marine wildlife conservation.
Shannon Joy has recently joined the board of WildAid, a San Francisco-based charity that works to stop the trade in endangered animal parts. She is also director of the Joy Family Foundation, whose primary focus is the protection of marine ecosystems and the biodiversity and conservation of oceans. It is also involved with Sylvia Earle Alliance and Mission Blue, Ocean 5, and Marine Mammal Conservation through the Arts, which inspires change in countries that hunt or harm whales.
Bill Joy is co-founder of Sun Microsystems. Their commitment to the environment drove the design of their 58m performance ketch S/Y Ethereal, built by Royal Huisman Visit Ethereal on Superyacht Times. The award was given during the Sights and Sounds of the Pacific Corridor event, hosted by the yacht agency Pacific Bound Yachts.
The Perseus Award was created in 2010 to recognize yacht owners who have demonstrated exemplary effort and contribution toward marine wildlife conservation. The award embodies the spirit of Perseus, the Greek hero; a child of the sea who grew up to be one of its greatest heroes and protectors. It is also meant to encourage luxury yacht owners to take a greater role in conserving our marine heritage given their privileged and intimate relationship with the ocean.
The Award itself is a stunning glass sculpture designed and cast by world renowned Bulgarian artist, Latchezar Boyadjiev www.latchezarboyadjiev.com. This year’s award has been generously donated by Pacific Bound Yachts, a global yacht support services firm based in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and will be presented at their 2nd Annual “Sights and Sounds of the Pacific Corridor” event to be held October 26, 2011 at the Museum of Discovery and Science in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
These nominees will be put forth to a distinguished panel of judges comprised of yachting industry and conservation leaders; all of whom bring their vast knowledge in diverse disciplines and expertise to the Panel. Last year’s winner, Mr. Paxson “Packy” Offield will join the panel of judges to elect this year’s recipient.
The 2010-2012 Perseus Award Committee Members are:
Roger Liang Founder/Owner, Kingship Yachts
Peter Knights Co-founder, WildAid
Lisa Greenberg-Ferrero Founder/President, Pacific Bound Yachts & WildAid Board Member
Jamie Edmiston Edmiston & Company
Dr. Alex Hearn PhD, Marine Biologist, Coordinator of Migramar
Tim Heywood Yacht Designer
Dick van Lent Co-Founder/President – Feadship
Tork Buckley Captain, Editor, The Yacht Report
Michael Bradfield Superyacht Owner
Packy Offield 2010 Perseus Award Winner
Selection Criteria
The following criteria guide the Perseus Award Selection Committee in selecting Award winners:
- Recent hands-on efforts that have enhanced marine conservation.
- The adoption of steps to make their yachts environmentally friendly and provide significant inspiration to other yacht owners.
- Significant monetary contribution to marine conservation efforts.